Central New York summer dining hot spots

View full sizeFile photo Rudy's in Oswego is in its 66th season, and features fried fish, Texas hots and waterfront dining on Lake Ontario.

CENTRAL NEW YORK SUMMER DINING HOT SPOTS

Thinking of dining out this summer? We asked our two restaurant reviewers, Aimee Koval and Denise Owen Harrigan, to pick some places they'd recommend. They selected a variety of places, both upscale and casual, some around Central New York and others worth a summer drive.

From Aimee Koval

-Alto Cinco, 526 Westcott St., Syracuse: A hot night in the city calls for the slow burn of an Inferno Burrito and a cooling brew at a streetside table outside this Westcott hot spot, perfect for people-watching and catching up with friends and neighbors passing by.

-The Bluewater Grill, 11 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles: Take a break from window shopping or pop in after a day on the lake for a bite at this casual dockside eatery.

-The Brae Loch Inn, 5 Albany St., Cazenovia: Live music on the lawn by Lakeland Park draws an enthusiastic crowd every Friday night, some for a menu that now includes many locally sourced items, and some for drinks and conversation with friends at the end of a busy work week.

-Francesca's Cucina, 545 N. Salina St., Syracuse: Francesca's al fresco dining patio is a verdant oasis of vines and arbors evoking the true spirit of an Italian trattoria. Relaxing for lunch and cocktails or romantic for evening, the dining patio is a welcome addition to Francesca's intimate ambiance.

-Gannon's Isle, 1525 Valley Drive, Syracuse, or 4800 McDonald Road No. 6, Syracuse: For some, the best part of spring is the disappearing snow and the blooming flowers. For Syracusans with a sweet tooth, it's hearing the news that Gannon's is open for the season and ready to serve up pure bliss in a cone or a dish.

-Heid's of Liverpool, 305 Oswego St., Liverpool: It's hard to imagine anything more "summer" than a hot dog and ice cream at the local drive-in. Send the kids to grab a spot at a table indoors or under the outdoor striped awning, and get in line for some of the best dogs and sundaes in town.

-The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake St., Cooperstown: Perched on 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego (the famed "Glimmerglass" of James Fenimore Cooper's novels) The Otesaga offers both casual and formal dining with breathtaking views.

-Zabroso Restaurant & Lounge, 3960 Scanondoa Road, Oneida: Enjoy small plates of tapas with a fine Spanish wine or share a hearty paella, now available on the brookside patio at Zabroso's new location in Oneida.

-Oak and Vine at the Springside Inn, 6141 W. Lake Road, Auburn. Go for gastropub vibe at an Owasco Lake institution. Outdoor dining, an impressive beer selection and St. Louis-style ribs, smoked onsite, make this a summer no brainer.

-Pastabilities, 311 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Pasta's distills the spirit of summer in the city even if you can't snag a courtyard table. Word to the wise: don't overdose on the stretch bread and hot oil.

-Pumpkin Hill Bistro, 2051 state Route 90, Aurora. With a bewitching menu, a view like a long drink of Cayuga Lake and front porch-plus-garden dining, the bistro offers enticing options at various price points.

-Rainbow Shores, 186 Rainbow Shores Road, Pulaski. It feels like dining on the rocks with a deck that skims the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, a soul-stirring sunset view and a chef who aims to create "a feast for the eyes and a party for the mouth."

-Rudy's, 78 county Route 89, Oswego. Now in its 66th season, Rudy's features fried fish, Texas hots and the sensation of oceanfront dining on the Lake Ontario shoreline.